Re: Northeastern Huskies 2016-17 Part II: Postseason Edition

Originally Posted by Split-N

...Even though how deeply a team goes in the playoffs is not supposed to be a consideration, I do believe some voters, especially those who might have been on the fence, will gravitate toward a player whose team makes a deep run. So it's likely that Butcher pulled in some votes because of that. And, of course, Northeastern is not exactly a brand name in the hockey world...

In addition to the above, I also think ZAR's case got hurt in a major way when he was not selected as recipient of the Walter Brown Award as best American-born NCAA D1 player. (it went to Joe Gambardella - UML.) That, by itself, likely bled some votes away.

So, the situation we're left with is that the Hockey East Player of the Year (over JoeG) and a first team east All America somehow isn't worthy enough to win either the WBA or the Hobey. Strange world we live in.

Re: Northeastern Huskies 2016-17 Part II: Postseason Edition

Originally Posted by Split-N

In addition to the above, I also think ZAR's case got hurt in a major way when he was not selected as recipient of the Walter Brown Award as best American-born NCAA D1 player. (it went to Joe Gambardella - UML.) That, by itself, likely bled some votes away.

So, the situation we're left with is that the Hockey East Player of the Year (over JoeG) and a first team east All America somehow isn't worthy enough to win either the WBA or the Hobey. Strange world we live in.

ZAR deserved both...again I ask the question that the old farts @ the WBA should have asked...Gambardella...Kelleher...ZAR...you have one pick for your team...whom do you take?

Re: Northeastern Huskies 2016-17 Part II: Postseason Edition

Originally Posted by Gr8Sk8M8

I'm not going to take anything away from this kid and his game but he's not making players around him better. He's not taking a team on his shoulders and leading them to the Promised Land. He's a good player surrounded by elite talent [B]under the tutelage of a talented coach [/B]- arguably the best in college hockey and who is going to one day succeed Jerry York.

ZAR went through 80% of the season without regular linemates and as much as I like Madigan...

Will you elaborate, please? Is this your opinion, or do you have access to undisclosed information?

if you walk with Jesus, he's gonna save your soul, you gotta keep the devil way down in the hole

Re: Northeastern Huskies 2016-17 Part II: Postseason Edition

Originally Posted by Split-N

In addition to the above, I also think ZAR's case got hurt in a major way when he was not selected as recipient of the Walter Brown Award as best American-born NCAA D1 player. (it went to Joe Gambardella - UML.) That, by itself, likely bled some votes away.

So, the situation we're left with is that the Hockey East Player of the Year (over JoeG) and a first team east All America somehow isn't worthy enough to win either the WBA or the Hobey. Strange world we live in.

The Walter Brown Award is voted on by a bunch of fools. They didn't nominate Colin Wilson in 2009 because they literally forgot to look and see that he was born in the USA. They also laughably gave the award to Vesey in 2015 over Eichel. I don't agree with Gambardella over ZAR whatsoever for this one, but I don't think it had much of an impact on the Hobey vote. I've been told on more than one occasion that in some circles the WBA isn't given as much credibility because the voters don't always have a clue and because they're a football-first organization. The Wilson nomination being a glaring example.

I was formerly a tasty 7-11 beverage. Now I'm a fan of defunct hockey teams.

Re: Northeastern Huskies 2016-17 Part II: Postseason Edition

ZAR deserved both...again I ask the question that the old farts @ the WBA should have asked...Gambardella...Kelleher...ZAR...you have one pick for your team...whom do you take?

As you can tell from below, you predicted that ZAR could get screwed by an anti-Boston, anti-mediocre team bias, and I responded that ZAR and Vechionne could split the Northeast vote and somebody from out west could swoop in and steal it. This was back a few months ago. I wish we turned out to be wrong.

Quote Originally Posted by Gr8Sk8M8 View Post

Thanks...great case...I watch/see a lot of hockey and there are none in the Top (next) 5 NCAA players that play the 200' game as well as he does against the best competition in college hockey - that he scores is also a compelling factor and had I a vote he'd get it.

That said, I'd be very surprised if they awarded it to a Boston area player for the 4th year in a row and to a program that isn't having that great of a year.

My Response:

Thanks for bringing up the other elements of his game. ZAR has more hits in an average game than the other kids have the entire season. He is fun to watch (and a beast to play against) even when he doesn't have the puck.

And, although he plays for a Boston team, he is not from Mass, like Vecchione and Kelleher. He's from the hockey hotbed of Staten Island, NY, land of NYC firefighters, NYC cops and NYC gangsters. But you raise a valid point. I wonder if these guys will split the Northeast vote and somebody from out west will swoop in and steal it.

Re: Northeastern Huskies 2016-17 Part II: Postseason Edition

Originally Posted by beanstalk

As you can tell from below, you predicted that ZAR could get screwed by an anti-Boston, anti-mediocre team bias, and I responded that ZAR and Vechionne could split the Northeast vote and somebody from out west could swoop in and steal it. This was back a few months ago. I wish we turned out to be wrong.

The ultimate irony being that the "winner" isn't even the best player on that team.

Any guesses as to who gets letters on their jerseys next season? Banquet on Thursday

My non-educated very much shot-in-the-dark guesses: Nolan gets the C, Gaudette/Sikura/Cockerill get the As.

I think that is the most likely scenario. In fact, I'd be shocked if that isn't what happens. Personally, I like the idea of giving a sophomore an "A" and grooming them to become a future captain. IIRC, it happened successfully with Vitale and McNeely and then not successfully with Bitetto and Karlsson who both left after their sophomore years. I also like d-men as captains. So I would give an "A" to either Shea or Davies, whoever fits better into that leadership role.